The 16th annual Arkansas State University Agribusiness Conference will be held Feb. 10 in the ASU Fowler and Convocation Centers in Jonesboro, Ark.

On-site registration begins at 8 a.m. in the Fowler Center. Lunch will be served in the Convocation Center at noon. Afternoon sessions end at 3:30 p.m.

The morning general session features four speakers and a panel discussion. Becky Cross, director of the USDA-NASS Arkansas field office, will discuss results from the 2007 Census of Agriculture.

Michael Swanson, vice president and senior economist with the Wells Fargo Ag Industries Group, will discuss commodity markets and price risk management.

Following the morning break, Jason Henderson, vice president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, will discuss how the financial markets and the macro-economy are impacting agriculture.

Bruce Knight, former USDA undersecretary for marketing and regulatory programs, will describe the economics and politics of climate change.

A panel of all general session speakers will discuss issues and take questions from the audience.

The luncheon address will feature Greg Cole, president and CEO of AgHeritage Farm Credit Services and an alumnus of the ASU College of Agriculture and Technology. He will speak on Agricultural Trends and Dynamics — Implications for the Delta.

The afternoon program features three special interest sessions. Carl Brothers of Riceland Foods, Gary Adams of the National Cotton Council, and Scott Stiles of the University of Arkansas will discuss the rice, cotton, corn, and soybean markets.

In the livestock industry session, Mississippi State University economist John Anderson will discuss livestock markets and industry issues.

Jody Hardin and Kim Pittcock will discuss community supported agriculture, farmers’ markets, and other local food institutions in the state.

Continuing education credits are available according to guidelines of the Arkansas State Board of Public Accountancy, the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers, the Arkansas Certified Crop Advisors and Arkansas Crop Consultants, and the Arkansas Department of Education.

Admission to the conference is free, but luncheon reservations are limited to the first 500 who register. Conference information and on-line registration are available on the Web site ASU College of Agriculture and Technology, or directly at the link 2010 Agribusiness Conference.

For telephone registration, contact Crystal Gastineau at (870) 972-3942 or [email protected].

Joining the ASU College of Agriculture as conference sponsors are: the Judd Hill Foundation, AgHeritage Farm Credit Services, Arkansas Farm Bureau, Bunge North America, Busch Agricultural Resources, Capital Agricultural Property Services, Inc., Farm Credit Midsouth, Greenway Equipment, Inc., Helena Chemical Company, Liberty Bank of Arkansas, Riceland Foods, Inc., RiceTec, Inc., and the USA Rice Federation.